The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking commercial and recreational fishermen to serve on all its advisory panels, starting in January 2026 for three-year terms through December 2028.
The council relies on fishermen, along with other stakeholders like coastal communities and conservation groups, to help the regional council with guidance as its members develop federal fishery management plans, actions and measures to keep Northeast fisheries healthy.
“The council seeks a diverse mix of members,” according to an announcement Aug. 15. The council seeks advisors who:
• Represent both commercial and recreational sectors
• Offer expertise across different fisheries
• Fish with a variety of gear types
• Come from across the geographic range of the fishery
• Bring a range of social and economic perspectives
The deadline to apply is October 3, 2025. Current advisory panel members who wish to continue must reapply for consideration for the 2026–2028 term.
To apply, volunteers can download and complete this application form and submit it to Sherie Goutier via email ([email protected]) or by mail to:
New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
Paper applications are available by calling the council office at (978) 465-0492.
To select their advisors, council committees eview all applications, with final selections made by the council’s executive committee. Nominees are also subject to review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement – and applicants “may be declined for marine resource violations,” the council notes.
